When young Hayden’s mom, Daleste, signed on to receive feeding intervention therapy from West Coast Feeding and Behaviour Specialist (WCFBS) for Hayden, she did so without hope. Although she had been referred to Dr. Lauren Binnendyk and the team at WCFBS by a friend whose own child had been having success in the program, Daleste’s road with Hayden’s feeding issues had been long, and she was not up for being disappointed yet again. Born prematurely at 26 weeks, Hayden was fed through a j-tube. When he was 11 months old, Hayden’s parents received his doctor’s “OK” for him to start solid foods; unfortunately and unforeseen by the family, he refused food and showed no interest in eating. Hayden was eventually diagnosed with an oral aversion and fed through a g-tube throughout the day.

For five long years, Daleste and her husband Blair pursued traditionally recommended treatment options. Hayden failed to make any real progress with occupational therapy treatments, and the family came to accept that being tube- fed would be a way of life for him, with no view to being able to overcome what seemed insurmountable. Thinking her son was just too complex a case for any therapist, Daleste remembers starting the feeding intervention with WCFBS: “I was nervous that it was one other thing we were going to try that wouldn’t work.” Complicating the issue further, Hayden and his family lived outside the Vancouver area, meaning that travel was required for the initial intensives.

The Therapy

Travelling to Vancouver from their home in Northern BC, Hayden and his family spent one week in intensive feeding therapy. WCFBS’s director and founder, Lauren, and feeding therapist Christine Powell administered the therapy at the family’s lodgings. Daleste was prepared to be at all the sessions to help manage Hayden’s behavior and assist the therapists. For the first three-plus days, Lauren and Christine worked with Hayden without any assistance from Daleste (Daleste recalls the time as an impromptu vacation-of-sorts). After that time, Daleste was brought into the sessions to observe as her son Hayden – who prior to the three-

day intensive treatment would only eat a tiny amount of popcorn and lick some peanut butter from a spoon – was accepting pureed foods. Next, it was Daleste’s turn to take the lead in feeding Hayden. She was supported throughout the process by Lauren and Christine, and learned how to keep the program up with Hayden at home. “By the end of the week,” recalls Daleste, “Hayden was eating and I was feeding him.”

After returning home, the family and the WCFBS team utilized email and Skype to keep the therapy going, with flexible sessions scheduled according to the family’s needs. After completing a second intensive round of therapy in Vancouver to move Hayden to solid foods, Hayden and his family were well on their way. Now, just over two years after the initial treatment, the family confirms that while the process is still ongoing, their child, who they thought would never eat, is eating and enjoying it. Hayden continues to work towards being free of tube feedings entirely.

The Progress

For any parent, a fussy eater can be difficult. For parents of children who have feeding issues, these difficulties are greatly amplified. Daleste acknowledges the impact Hayden’s issues with food had on the family as a whole: “You don’t realize how many things revolve around food and eating until you are not involved. We felt like we missed out on so many things or felt left out. We never had family meals or were involved with celebrations that involved eating.” Hayden’s
progress with WCFBS has given the family new hope. Daleste speaks of Lauren asking her what she would like Hayden to be eating. Her first thought was that it didn’t really matter, as long as her child was finally eating something. As the therapy continued to be successful and Daleste realized her child would be eating, that changed. “I wanted to see him enjoy his birthday cake and Christmas dinner with his family.” Now the family celebrates Hayden’s food victories on a regular basis. “I am so proud and I get so emotional because I truly believe this has changed my son’s life,” says Daleste. “I see a day where his g-tube will be gone – I see hope and independence in his future.” Working through what seemed like the impossible with her son has left Daleste feeling that “anything is possible – no matter what the situation or how difficult or impossible something may seem, you can overcome it.”

Asked if she has any tips for other parents embarking upon the process, Daleste tells them to have an “open mind” and “trust the process – know that you are going to have ups and downs as with anything. Make sure you are honest with yourself and the team so they can best support you and your situation.” Her advice to families who still may be considering a feeding intervention with WCFBS? “If you are thinking about doing the feeding therapy don’t wait – it will change your life!”